Richard Dreyfuss is in town this weekend along with other cast members of “American Graffiti.” They’ll appear at the Peppermill. / GNS file

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Renoites can celebrate the 35th anniversary of the classic film "American Graffiti" today and Saturday by hobnobbing with the stars.

Several of the film's actors -- Paul Le Mat, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Bo Hopkins and Lynne Stewart -- have been at the Peppermill since Wednesday for a reunion event, and Richard Dreyfuss is scheduled to fly in today. The reunion will also feature three of the cars used in the film, the yellow 1932 Deuce Coupe, the black 1935 Chevy and the white Ford Thunderbird.

Remaining reunion events are scheduled from 2-10 p.m. today and Saturday in the Peppermill's north parking lot, and the public is invited to meet the stars, take photographs and ask for autographs. Peppermill publicist Michelle Hackman said the stars may not be on hand the entire eight hours that each event runs, but they will definitely be there a portion of each day.

"American Graffiti," directed by George Lucas, was released in August 1973, and with time it has become one of the most-loved pictures in American cinema. It fits the Hot August Nights theme nicely, as it's set in the early 1960s and follows several recent high school graduates enjoying a last night out before heading to college. The film's soundtrack is packed with classic rock hits, and vintage cars are featured throughout.

The movie is also noteworthy because of the pedigree of its players. The film not only cemented the careers of Williams, Dreyfuss and Lucas, it provided a boost for a young Harrison Ford and featured one of Ron Howard's most memorable screen outings. Howard, a child star, would go on to become one of Hollywood's most successful directors.

Dreyfuss has the highest profile of the stars appearing in Reno, as he has been a leading man in movies for more than three decades. His breakthrough came when he played Baby Face Nelson in director John Milius' "Dillinger," and that outing was followed almost immediately by "Graffiti." Other credits include leading roles in "Jaws," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Stakeout," "Mr. Holland's Opus" and an Oscar-winning turn in "The Goodbye Girl."

Williams also went on to become a household name, primarily thanks to her starring turn as Shirley Feeney on the hit television show "Laverne & Shirley," a spin-off of "Happy Days." In 1978 she was nominated for a best TV actress Golden Globe for her work on the show. Le Mat, Clark, Stewart and Hopkins aren't as well known, but they are all veteran performers with extensive credits in both television and film.